Agenda - 11-19-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 Ir.a�1 The device which converts digital data in the computer to tone bursts for transmission on the tele- phone lines; and at the other end, converts tone bursts back into digital data. Short for "Modulator - Demodulator". Modern high -speed modems are some of the most intricate computer devices. Privacy Normally attained by use of passwords, privacy schemes simply prevent access to the files so pro- tected. More elaborate secrecy or security systems use some sort of cipher or code. Random Access Memory or RAM The high -speed microchip memory which stores the information as it is being worked upon by the CPU. The set of instructions, or "computer program" is also stored in RAM. Typical time to store or read information in RAM is 100 nanoseconds, or billionths of a second. Read -only Memory or ROM Similar to RAM, except using chips which cannot easily be erased. The manufacturer stores the principal instructions which tell the computer how to work in ROM. These instructions are called the BIOS, or Basic Input /Output System. System Administrator A person who handles the more complex planning, policy and purchasing questions in a computer system. System Operator or SysOp The person who supervises the daily running of a system. Registers new users. Responsible for seeing that the equipment works properly and that users do not have difficulty. In a smaller, single - person BBS, the owner /operator is generally called a SysOp.